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NY Heritage: Maritime holly forest | Ecological Communities of New York, 2nd Ed.
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Name: NY Heritage: Maritime holly forest Reference: Ecological Communities of New York, 2nd Ed. Description: A broadleaf evergreen maritime strand forest that occurs in low areas on the back portions of maritime dunes. The dunes protect these areas from overwash and salt spray enough to allow forest formation. In New York State this forest is best developed and probably restricted to the barrier islands off the south shore of Long Island. The trees are usually stunted and flat-topped because the canopies are pruned by salt spray and exposed to winds; the canopy of a mature stand may be only 16 to 23 ft (5 to 7 m) tall. The dominant tree is holly (Ilex opaca). Other characteristic trees at lower abundance include sassafras (Sassafras albidum), serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis), post oak (Quercus stellata) and black oak (Quercus velutina). Vines such as Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), sawbrier (S. glauca), and grape (Vitis spp.) are common in the understory, and they often grow up into the canopy. Shrubs such as highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) and black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata) are common in the understory, especially at the margins of the forest. Characteristic groundlayer herbs include wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), starry Solomon's seal (Maianthemum stellata), and Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense). There may be small, damp depressions that are somewhat boggy; species found in these depressions include black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), shadbush, highbush blueberry, and chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). More data on characteristic animals are needed.  Accession Code: VB.CC.28549.NYHERITAGEMARIT Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 3
	Party Perspective according to: Howard, Timothy Perspective from: 03-Dec-2004 to: ongoing
	status: accepted Community's Parent: NY Heritage: TERRESTRIAL SYSTEM This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Other: NY Heritage: Maritime holly forest